There is an inverse relationship between nicotine and body weight. It
has been proposed that this inverse relationship is partially mediated
by insulinergic actions, but the effect of nicotine on insulin only h
as been reported for male rats. The present experiment was designed to
examine the effect of nicotine administration on body weight and plas
ma insulin in female and male rats. In addition, the effects of anesth
esia prior to sacrifice on plasma insulin were examined. Nicotine redu
ced body weight and plasma insulin in female and male rats. In additio
n, the use of an anesthetic prior to sacrifice was associated with hig
her plasma insulin levels for male rats. These findings are consistent
with the interpretation that insulinergic mechanisms play a role in t
he nicotine-body weight relationship.